- Sweet Republic (pictured)
Scottsdale, Arizona
Temperatures often soar above 100°F here, so cool off at this dessert shop specializing in ice cream, sorbet, and ice cream pies. Try intense flavors like blue cheese with Medjool dates.
Must-Try Flavor: Salted butter caramel.
9160 East Shea Boulevard; 480-248-69792. Pazzo Gelato
Los Angeles
This family-run spot in L.A.'s hip Silver Lake area turns farmers' market ingredients into fantastical flavors of gelato and sorbetto, such as Guinness and chèvre with fig.
Must-Try Flavor: Santa Rosa plum.
3827 West Sunset Boulevard; 323-662-14103. Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop
San Francisco
Ice cream is only as good as the milk used to make it. That's why this Mission District shop uses Straus Family Creamery's organic dairy products. Don't miss the house-made ice pops, especially satsuma tangerine.
Must-Try Flavor: Balsamic strawberry.
3692 18th Street; 415-626-56004. Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts
Atlanta
At this mom-and-pop operation, you can play it safe with strawberry or chocolate; if you're adventurous, go for sweet corn or coconut-jalapeño.
Must-Try Flavor: Ginger-lavender.
749 Moreland Avenue SE; 404-622-02105. Christina's Homemade Ice Cream
Cambridge, Massachusetts
The owners run a spice store next door, so you can trust that flavors such as Kaffir lime leaf or adzuki bean will be delicious.
Must-Try Flavor: Burnt sugar.
1255 Cambridge Street; 617-492-70216. Taos Cow
Taos, New Mexico
Local goods—Rasband Dairy milk, Eagle Ranch pistachios, Lavender Ranch lavender—are used in the all-natural ice cream at this ski resort spot.
Must-Try Flavor: Piñon caramel.
485 Highway 150, Arroyo Seco; 575-776-56407. Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Trucks
New York
These retrofitted postal service vehicles purvey high-quality, 18 percent butterfat formulas. Vanilla is made with organic beans aged in vodka.
Must-Try Flavor: Vanilla.
Locations change; 718-701-16308. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Columbus, Ohio
The flavors—Thai chili, olive oil with sea-salt pepitas, Riesling-poached-pear sorbet—illustrate why Jeni Britton Bauer is a top ice cream artisan in the U.S.
Must-Try Flavor: Goat cheese with Cognac fig sauce.
59 Spruce Street and other locations; 614-228-99609. Capogiro Gelateria
Philadelphia
From the traditional hazelnut to the avant-garde lime-cilantro, gelato is made daily from scratch in small batches.
Must-Try Flavor: Blackberry.
119 South 13th Street; 215-351-090010. Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
Seattle
Everything here is selected with care, from the milk-bottle lights to the compostable containers. And the ice cream itself is made with passion.
Must-Try Flavor: Maple walnut.
1622 1/2 North 45th Street; 206-547-5105